Welcome to The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc.

Thank you for choosing to adopt an animal. The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) consists of a small group of dedicated people – paid staff and many volunteers working very hard to find homes just like yours for more than 4,500 homeless pets each year. We rely on the generosity, care, and compassion of our community to aide in this life saving work.

By choosing to adopt a pet, you have already joined the ranks of those saving lives and for that we thank you. Through this process we hope that your life with your new pet will be happy and fulfilling. Because adopting a pet is a life-long commitment and not one to be entered into lightly, we ask that you read the below adoption process carefully and help us to help you find your new family member.

Adopters must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Possess a valid Driver’s License or State Identification Card
• Either own your own home or, if you rent, provide a copy of your lease or notarized letter from your landlord stating you can have pets, complying with all limitations
• Have a working telephone number and an emergency contact person and telephone number
• Have all members of the family or residents of the home present to meet the potential pet
• Have proof that your resident pets are current on all vaccines
• Be prepared to bring any resident dogs in to introduce to all potential adoptable dogs prior to adoption

Your satisfaction is very important to us. Our goal is to make every possible effort to ensure the adoption process is as simple as possible, while still ensuring that all animals are placed responsibly.

WE ASK THAT YOU READ CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS:

• Pets are adopted “as is” – We do NOT make any guarantees as to the health, age, and/or temperament of any pet we adopt out.
• A pet CANNOT be adopted as a gift for another person.
• ALL Animals adopted from HSHC must be spayed or neutered after adoption. A $50 refundable deposit is required at the time of adoption.
• If an animal is placed on “Hold” due to medical concerns or a stray hold, HSHC will accept three adoption applications per animal.  These applications will be reviewed in the order they are received.  When an animal becomes available, the adoption’s staff will contact those individuals listed on the first application.   Should the need arise, they will then move to the second and third applications submitted.
• Once an animal becomes available for adoption, they are adopted on a “FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED” basis.   Although we do not condone,  there are those who “camp out” waiting for the shelter to open.
•  The shelter front gates open at approximately 6:30am, however NO adoptions will be processed until the shelter opens for business that day.  Adoption hours are as follows:   M-F 11:00am – 6:00pm,  Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm,  Sunday 12:00pm – 4:00pm.  Please understand that we have no control over when people choose to arrive.
• We retain the right to REFUSE an adoption to anyone.
• We accept cash or major credit cards. Sorry, no checks.

Adoption Fees

Puppies & Purebreds: $ 250.00

Dogs 1-5 years: $ 160.00

Dogs 6 or older: $ 95.00

Includes:

First set of Distemper, Rabies Vaccination (4+months), De-wormer, Flea/Tick Preventative, Microchip, and General Exam

DOG ADOPTION APPLICATION

Kittens & Cats: $ 95.00

Cats 7 or older: $ 75.00

Includes:

First set of Distemper, Rabies Vaccination (4+months), De-wormer, Flea/Tick Preventative, Microchip, and General Exam

CAT ADOPTION APPLICATION

Rabbits: $25.00

Guinea Pigs: $20.00
NOTE: Guinea pigs may not be adopted for breeding purposes. Female Guinea Pigs who are not spayed may only be adopted to homes where they will NOT have contact with intact guinea pigs of the opposite gender.

Rats: $10.00

Hamsters, Gerbils & Mice: $5.00

SMALL CRITTER ADOPTION APPLICATION

Spay/Neuter Fee

If the animal is not already spayed or neutered, there is an additional $50 deposit.  You are given a HASP (Harford Animal Sterilization Program) certificate and a list of veterinarians.  You have 60 days (or 60 days after the animal is 6 months old) to get the procedure done.  Once you have gotten your new pet spayed or neutered and can provide a receipt from your veterinarian, your $50 deposit will be refunded to you.

Lonely Hearts Club

The Lonely Hearts Club Adoption Program has been created to highlight animals that have been at the shelter for a long period of time.  Click here to learn more.

Adoption. It is what we live for!